December 14, 2014

This week’s tutorial uses a Lace Braid, only instead of adding hair only into the top, as we’ve shown you in several tutorials, you only add hair into the bottom!

The effect that this braid gives you is a “faux waterfall braid” look, only no hair actually falls through the braid. I’ve been creating Lace Braids in hair for nearly 10 years now, and never thought to pull hair in only from the bottom side!

To see your own photo recreations featured in our CGH app, feel free to tag your own photos of this hairstyle on IG with: #CGHUpwardLaceBraid

I think this braid looks the best brought back into a tieback, however you can continue this braid around the back of the head and secured just above the other ear, covering the end with hair from that side.

This braid technique works on curly hair, wavy hair, straight hair, wet hair, dry hair, Day 2 hair, etc. Really, you can use it to accent pretty much any style combination!

Begin with straight hair {but this can work on short, long, wet, dry, curly, or straight hair, too}…

Part hair slightly off to one side…

Pick up a small section near the temple and begin one stitch of a regular 3-strand braid…

When you go to move the bottom piece again in the 2nd stitch, add in some hair only to the bottom piece {try to pick up hair that lays underneath the top layer of hair… when you do this, it will create a pull to the hair that lays in a diagonal direction upward into the braid giving a waterfall braid-like look}…

Everytime you to to move the bottom strand of hair in the braid, add in some more hair {only from the bottom}…

Repeat this stitching until you reach halfway around the head…

Finish with a few stitched of a regular braid, and then secure with an elastic for now…

Now, moving to the other side, create another upward Lace Braid, using the same technique as before in Steps #3-6…

Secure the two braids together in the back of the head with an elastic, and add hairspray and accessory {if desired}.

*Optional: You may also continue the braid all the way around the head and secure near the opposite temple using some bobby pins or you can use the ends of the braid, pancaking only one side, rolling it up, and creating a rosette/flower shape and pin into place.

At the end of this video, we share with you something that we felt honored to be a part of. We were asked by the Radiant Foundation, an inter-faith Christian group, to take part in what would become the largest Live Nativity ever held {certified by the Guinness Book of World Records}.

This is the largest collab of its kind, ever, on YouTube, with over 30 other YouTubers, talented musicians, and their families, who volunteered over 10,000 hours over six weeks to the project! Try and see if you can spot each one of us, as well as your favorite YouTube stars!

The purpose of this Nativity video is to share with you the true meaning of Christmas, our Savior Jesus Christ. It isn’t about money, gifts, nor treats. No matter your faith, we hope you will hold your family a little closer at this time of year, loving and selflessly serving others. #ShareTheGift

You can download the MP3 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” (mixed with “Angels We Have Heard On High”) FREE!

This is a VERY creative braid! So many readers felt such that they began tagging me, or emailing photos of this hairstyle to me, asking for us to film a tutorial for it! Today, we will teach you how to create a Scissor Waterfall Braid Combo.

Two weeks ago Kamri volunteered to model as long as I allowed her to add a messy fishtail to it. I so loved the idea of a combination, that we decided to incorporate the Scissor Waterfall Braid with a base of waves created by a deep-V waver, and then bringing the scissor waterfalls back into a centered messy fishtail braid. It’s gorgeous!

To see your own photo recreations featured in our CGH app, feel free to tag your own photos of this hairstyle on IG with: #CGHScissorWaterfallCombo

Isn’t this braid beautiful? Although I created this combo using waves in Kamri’s hair, this would look great on straight or curly hair as well! I can imagine this being perfect for a communion, wedding, flower girl, church, or every day wear! It also hold up fairly well with activity, as the day we filmed this tutorial it was very windy and we had been active outside for a few hours. A few of these photos were taken then.

Begin by parting hair slightly off to one side {or a middle part, if you feel inclined}…

Now pick up a fairly large section of hair from the ear up to the part line…

Divide this section into 4 equal strands – the two outside pieces will be Strand #1 and Strand #4, while the middle strands will be Strand #2 and Strand #3…

Take the two middle pieces, Strands #2 & 3, and switch their places by crossing them…

Take the outside pieces, Strands #1 & 4, and switch them with the two middle strands so they now become your new middle pieces {leaving you with new outside edges are as Strands #1 & 4 and the middle ones being Strands #2 & 3}…

Take the middle Strands #2 & 3 and combine them into one strand for now…

Now take the top Strand #1 and bring it across the two middle pieces and combine it with the bottom Strand #4, which just now creates your first braid stitch…

Now pick up a small strand of hair from near the part line, take it over the combined middle Strands #2 & 3, but under the bottom Strand #4, and drop it {this becomes your first waterfelled strand}…

Separate the middle strand back into the original two Strands #2 & 3, and separate the outside edges into Strands #1 & 4 again…

Now take the outside strands and switch them with the middle strands as you did in Step #4, and start your numbers over again…

Repeat Steps #4-9 for additional waterfall stitches, over and over, until you create the braid length you want {you can do one long wrap-around braid, bring two back and tie them, an accent braid or a combo braid like this one}…

When you are finished with your waterfall portion, continue the braid with a few simple braid stitches and secure with a rubber band for now…

Next, repeat the Scissor Waterfall Braid on the other side of the head…

Once both braids are complete, bring them to the back {removing your previously-placed temporary rubber band} and secure them together with a rubber band…

Now create a Fishtail Braid with your combined strands, pancake it for a messy look, and secure with a rubber band…

{Optional} Remove the top rubber band by.. cutting it with nail clippers, to allow the waterfall portion to flow into the fishtail braid…

Add hairspray or accessories {as desired}.

What do you think about this Scissor Waterfall Braid Combo? How many ways can you think of to incorporate this fun braid into a combo? Feel free to share this with a friend you want to create this on you!

Happy Hairdoing!

Want to learn my family’s recipe for yummy Pumpkin Ice Cream Dessert? Think pumpkin pie, only made with ice cream! The girls show us how this week on their BrooklynAndBailey YouTube channel! Perfect for Thanksgiving or any Fall festivity, I promise! Click below to view…

September 28, 2014

This week’s hairstyle uses a similar technique as our Lace Braided Heart, only our purpose here is to highlight the front parting of the hair and not so much the back.

That is why we show you today how to create a Boho Lace Tieback, a bohemian chic and hippie-ish hairstyle that is sure to get you compliments!

The trick is to get your Lace Braid started, since you are using such a micro strand to begin with, but once you have it, this braid is really a cinch!

We love how boho {or bohemian} this look gives us, very much a hippie vibe without overdoing it.

As you can see, this hairstyle uses the unique combination of Lace Braids, Simple Braids, and a Tieback to complete the look. You can try mixing things up a bit by trying a side part, using fishtail braids, or any other way to spice up a combo.

To see your own photo recreations featured in our CGH App, feel free to tag your own photos of this hairstyle on Instagram with: #CGHBohoLaceTieback

Feel free to click this link for a beginner-level tutorial on how to Lace Braid. {Sometimes I need a refresher course, too!}

This hairstyle combination can work on long, medium, or short hair, and is perfect for any occasion. It holds up well in sports {minus the accessory} and can be used as a wedding or communion hairstyle.

My girls use this in sports and dance, by pulling all the hair up into a ponytail instead of a tieback, with the Lace Braided portion keeping the hair out of their faces.

The style can also be worn with curly, wavy, or straight hair, and can be accessorized in any number of ways.

September 21, 2014

This past week, my niece, age three, who also had such beautiful, long curly hair, was playing at a friends house when the little friend decided to give her a “hair cut”!

This has to be one of every parent’s nightmares! We’ve all been there, now knowing that for little girls hair, the sworn enemies are… kids scissors and gum!

My niece now has a super adorable, chin-length bob haircut. To help my sister-in-law feel a little better, we decided to upload a short hairstyle today! We are showing you how to create a Laced Fishtail Tieback!

This is a beautiful braided combo hairstyle that will look amazing if the hair has natural highlights in it. Fishtail braids are right on trend today, so this combo is sure to get you compliments!

I originally tried this style with two lace-backs, but found that they winged out too much on the sides when I pancaked them. The only solution was to pin the braids down, but I didn’t like they way that looked.

After playing around for a few minutes, we decided to start each side with a few French Braid stitches to anchor the two braidbacks. This trick worked perfectly!

If you would like to see your recreations of this hairstyle featured in our CHG App, feel free to tag your own photos with: #CGHLaceFishtailTieback

This hairstyle is versatile and perfect for girls with short hair, medium hair, or long hair. It can also be worn for any occasion, including sports, with straight hair or curls, too!

Step-by-Step Instructions: {Optional} Begin with straightened hair, or, if short, flip the hair out with a flat iron…

Begin by parting the hair slightly off to one side…

Now pick up a small section of hair near the front part, on the right side of head…

Divide this section into two strands, and begin a French Fishtail stitch pattern {this step is essential, as the French stitching is what will anchor the Lace Braid down}…

As you braid back, add in small sections of additional hair, and then grab the outside edges of the fishtail sections before crossing over…

Repeat this process on both sides of the fishtail for about 2 -3 inches…

As you near the ear, stop adding hair into the bottom and only add in hair from the top side of the braid braid {this creates the Lace Fishtail}, and braid around the back of the head using this pattern…

When you reach the midway part of the back of the head, secure the braid off with an elastic…

Repeat Steps #3-7 on the other side of the head…

Once you have both fishtails in place, combine them carefully together in the back {if you have short hair, you may need to tuck the middle down a little so that it doesn’t stick up}…

Secure the braids together with an elastic…

Go back and gently tug on the bottom edges {pancake} of the lace fishtail to allow the stranding to pop out…

Add hairspray and accessory {as desired}.

Please feel free to leave a comment below letting us know what you think of this Laced Fishtail Tieback!

Happy Hairstyling!

Brooklyn and Bailey met up with their good friend Chelsea Crockett and filmed a fun 2-part tag series on each other’s channels.

The twins uploaded this 7-Second Challenge on their BrooklynAndBailey YouTube channel, and Chelsea uploaded the Whisper Challenge on her channel. Watching both videos reminds me so much of the slumber parties I used to have with my friends when I was their age! Have fun laughing!

August 05, 2014

We love tiebacks because they are very mature looking, and can be worn with straight, wavy, or curly hair as the base. I promise, you will receive so many compliments on this one!

Today we are teaching you how to create a Half-Loop Braidback, using the Feather Braid stranding we’ve shown you before. To create the loops in this braid, you “skip-stitch” the feathered strands from the braid, and then pancake them to your liking.

This tutorial is inspired by a few shots I saw on Instagram, one from a viewer named Sophia who posted a photo of this after being inspired by our French Loop Braid a few weeks ago, and another by hairstyling momma, Annie.

To see your recreations featured in our CGH App, feel free to tag your own photos of this hairstyle with: #CGHHalfLoopBraidback

We categorized this style as “Medium” in skill level, only because the skip-stitching can be confusing. Be sure to watch the video closely to know exactly when to bring back in a previously-feathered strand.

Adding the Loop Braiding technique, to any French, Dutch, Simple, or Lace Braids, you can definitely dress up any braid! I can imagine this being used in any number of wedding hairstyles, or Prom and Homecoming hairstyle combos.

Don’t you think this braid is beautiful? On what occasions would you wear this? Perfect for Back-to-School, right?

Begin by parting the hair slightly off center {you don’t want the part to be too deep, or the braids will be uneven}…

Next, create a section from that part line down to about an inch above the ear, as leaving some hair to cover the ear creates a more mature look to the style {you can also pull all the hair back above the ear for a younger look}…

Now divide that section into three even strands, and begin one simple braid stitch…

In the next stitch, on the elbow of hair closest to the ear, remove a tiny little strand and let it fall {we call this technique “feather braiding”}…

Now, create a 3rd braid stitch, and, again, on the lower piece, create a falling feathered strand {this will be the 2nd feather strand you drop}…

Create a 4th braid stitch, and, again, on the lower strand, create a falling feathered strand {this will be the 3rd feather strand you drop}…

However, on this stitch, after you drop the 3rd feathered strand, go back and pick up the first feathered strand and add it back into the lower right-most strand {you essentially trade strands…you drop the 3rd feathered strand, and then pick up the first and add it into that same strand of hair}…

Now create a 5th braid stitch, and, again, drop the feathered strand and then add back into the braid the 2nd feathered strand…

After about 3-4 stitches, go back and gently tug on the feathered elbows so that they pop out from the braid, creating the integral “looping” in the braid {if you braid all the way down first, it will become much harder to pull the loops out}…

Continue Steps #3-9 until you near the end of the hair, or have created a long enough braid to reach the back of the head {the desired length of the braidback is entirely up to you}…

When you near the end of the braid, stop dropping new feathered strands and simply add in the last two previously feathered strands {this gives a nice finishing point to the braid}…

Repeat Steps #3-11 on the other side of the head.

When both sides are braided, secure them together in the back of the head, adjusting the length to your liking…

Add hairspray and accessory {if desired}.

Please feel free to leave a comment below letting us know what you think of this Half-Loop Braidback!

Happy Hairstyling!

My twins, BrooklynAndBailey, just returned from a summer trip to Utah and EFY Summer Camp. Feel free to click below and see their recap of the trip!

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About Me

What do you get when you cross 34 yrs of living, 14 yrs of marriage, one HOT husband, five adorable daughters, one handsome son, and tons of great family and friends? Pretty much the sum total of who I am!!